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CentricWorship - All The Saints: Live from the CentricWorship Retreat [Review]

By Chris Olson on March 11, 2014

So, you’ve probably heard of Centricity Publishing. You may not, however, have heard about the new label they just launched: CentricWorship. Steve Rice (VP of Centricity and founder of CentricWorship) had this to say about the new label: “Through CentricWorship, we want to provide engaging and encouraging songs that exalt the name of Jesus, with sound Biblical doctrine. Our prayer is that these new songs will assist people in their prayer and worship as they continue the journey with us, closer and closer to the heart of Jesus."

CentricWorship's first offering, All The Saints: Live from the CentricWorship Retreat is a live worship recording that took place during a week-long retreat of songwriting and worship in the Cascade Mountains. This album features 12 top songwriters and worship leaders, such as Michael Farren, Jared Anderson, Henry Sealy, Seth Mosley, Anthony Skinner, Mia Fieldes, James Tealy, and others. This album comes to us straight from the worship service, and you can feel it in every single track.

“Nothing But the Blood” is a great track that borrows from the classic hymn of the same name, but with some fresh new lyrics. Corey Voss leads this tune with a passionate vocal performance, which pairs nicely with the great melody. The new bridge is lyrically rich, with strong proclamations such as “Every chain and fetter broken . . . crushing every enemy . . . bringing healing, bringing freedom, bringing peace . . . “ This song really conveys the power that is in the blood of Jesus.

In “All the Saints (Holy Holy Holy)” we find a great application of the wonderful hymn “Holy Holy Holy.” This tune reflects the hymn in its true form, but adds in a new chorus, which is applied almost like a bridge, towards the end. The entire song has a great arrangement, and the new chorus at the end is definitely this song’s crescendo. Featuring Michael Farren and Anthony Skinner, this song “lifts” throughout. And, we are treated to this song again at the end of the album, but in an extended version. This extended take provides a great time of spontaneous/free worship that really invites the listener to participate along with those that are worshiping on the recording.

I think my personal favorite on this album has to be “Overwhelm Me (Lost in You).” This track has a great vibe and arrangement, paired with a solid melody. The vocal performance from Riley Erin is great and communicates the intent of the song very well. The chorus, incorporating a balanced level of repetition, is truly effective in its simplicity: ”I want to be lost, I want to be lost in you . . . overwhelm me.”

And if you’ve ever looked for a song that is truly a prayer in song form, look no further than “Our Father” on this album. Sung by Jared Anderson, this song has a great groove, and is truly a wonderful take on the Lord’s Prayer.

All The Saints: Live from the CentricWorship Retreatreally is a wonderful collection of original worship songs, presented as they were birthed - out of a simple writing retreat. You can hear the fire in the vocal performances, and the production quality of the album allows you to feel like you’re right there, worshiping with them. Not overly polished in any way, the heart of the music translates well in the organic, rootsy sounds it is carried by. Each of these songs is applicable for congregations of all sizes and denominations. And, considering that this is the first release from this new CentricWorship label, I am excited to see what more comes to us in the near future.

Disclosure: A copy of this album was provided by the record label or artist for review purposes. The iTunes widget above is a part of an affiliate program. If you purchase the album through the widget, a small percentage of the sale will benefit All About Worship.

Chris Olson

Chris has been involved in worship ministry in some way for over 20 years, ranging from worship team guitarist/bassist/drummer to staff worship pastor. Chris presently serves as one of the worship leaders at Grace Church in Overland Park, KS, and is also a songwriter with a passion to write songs for the local church. Chris married WAY up when his wife Rachel said “I do,” and they have two awesomely awesome kids, Aedan and Caitlin.